As they celebrate their sixth wedding anniversary this week, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are looking to renew their vows with a second wedding. This time around, there’s growing talk that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex – who are back in Montecito, California, after their successful three-day trip in Nigeria – are thought to be planning their nuptials to be on US soil in the summer. Last month, Harry, 39, changed his primary country of residence from the UK to the US on official documents and he is said to be keen to show his commitment to his newly adopted country.
“Having a second wedding in America would check a lot of boxes for them. For one thing, it would help Harry strengthen his roots in America, which is his home for life now as far as he and Meghan tell it,” the insider reveals.
“They both feel it will be wonderful to have their marriage blessed on American soil. Harry very much sees it as his new home and getting married there not only recommits their marriage, it’s also a symbolic way to show their commitment to their new life in California as well.” They add, “It’s where Harry sees his future, especially as he becomes increasingly isolated from the UK. He’s got his eyes focused on his future in America.”
While they married at St George’s Chapel in Windsor on 19 May 2018, watched by 600 guests including George and Amal Clooney, Oprah Winfrey, Idris Elba and Meghan’s Suits co-stars, Harry and Meghan’s second wedding is expected to be a more informal and low-key affair. They’ll be joined by two very special guests – their children Archie, five, and Lilibet, two.
“It wouldn’t need to be a formal or fancy event. They’ve already done that. This time around they want a simple celebration of their love. Their kids will be a part of it and just their very closest friends and a few select family members,” the source says.
“Their first wedding is something they will always remember as one of the greatest and most special days, but the word is they want to recommit to each other on American soil.” They add, “Of course it goes a lot deeper than that. They both feel so blessed to have been able to build the life of their dreams together and love the idea of recommitting to each other in front of their children.”
They’re thought to be eyeing up an August ceremony, to coincide with Meghan’s 43rd birthday on 4 August. “It’s something they’ve talked about for a while but he’s now pushing for them to get things in motion. Harry would love to do this to coincide with her birthday later this summer and by all accounts she’s on board,” the source says. “It will likely be a very small affair at their home in Montecito with a nice little mini-honeymoon escape afterwards for the two of them to enjoy.”
A lot has happened since Harry and Meghan, 42, tied the knot six years ago. After being embraced as part of the modern monarchy, the couple surprised everyone when they announced that they were stepping down from being working royals in 2020. They left the UK, staying in Canada for a while before settling down in Meghan’s birth country. In recent years, the rift between them and the royal family has widened as the Sussexes made damaging accusations and scathing claims towards them in TV interviews with Oprah Winfrey, their Netflix docu-series, and Harry’s memoir Spare.
The source tells us that another wedding would prove to the world that they are stronger than ever, despite the constant speculation over their relationship.
“Meghan and Harry have been through so much and survived so many storms together and they still feel strongly it’s them against the world. People can say what they want, but there’s no denying the challenges they’ve face in the past few years would have torn a lot of couples apart, so they take real pride in the fact these rough times have only brought them closer together,” we’re told.
“Although their intention isn’t to make a big show of it, there is an element of wanting to prove something. This would snuff out all the chatter about them having troubles in their marriage. Their second wedding would also be a wonderful way to celebrate their accomplishment of making it through some very tough years and coming out stronger.”
After a number of recent setbacks, including backlash over Meghan’s newly launched American Riviera Orchard brand, a misunderstanding over their Archewell charity and the deepening chasm between Harry and his family, the upcoming nuptials could give the Sussexes something to look forward to and give them a boost of joy.
“Harry’s very keen to lift Meghan’s spirits. He’s been so worried about her and having something special like this to celebrate would certainly put a big smile on her face,” says the source.
But it would also give Harry something to look forward to, especially after he was snubbed by his father King Charles and brother William, who were both “too busy” to meet up with him on his recent trip back to the UK.
“Like all marriages, it’s taken work to keep growing together, but the effort they’ve put in has paid off in spades because they’re more in love than ever,” the insider reveals. “Harry is adamant that he has no regrets about putting his wife and kids first and making a new start together and this vow renewal would be a way to celebrate that and cement their commitment to each other, above all else.”